PRESS

have been partaking in many North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) and European Union (EU) missions,
including the wars in Kosovo and Afghanistan
and the fight against piracy off the coast of Somalia. 2
Currently, Germany deploys about 6,200 troops in
missions abroad; it is the third largest contributor to
the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in
Afghanistan and the lead nation in the NATO-led
Kosovo Force (KFOR). Thus, contemporary Germany
has finally established itself as a “normal nation” that
contributes to international stability. It does so—if
necessary—by military means as well, and certainly
in a manner that is commensurate with its size and
economic strength.
The other story could be called “too little, too late”
and scoffs at these alleged achievements. From this
perspective, German security policy during the last
25 years has always oscillated between two conflicting
conclusions drawn from German history. One is
never again to stand opposed to the United States and
Germany’s (major) European neighbors; the other is
never again to experience war. Hence, although Germany
has made military contributions to international
missions, it has never done so by its own initiative.
Germany’s allies (mostly the United States) and partners
in the EU had to drag Germany into its commitments.
As a consequence, German leaders of various
political persuasions have always tried to commit as
few troops with as many caveats (such as restricted
rules of military engagement) as possible without
losing face among allies and friends. One can debate
whether this is a prudent strategy and whether it
worked well, but few would argue that it is a policy
befitting the most prosperous, populous, and politically
influential nation-state in the EU.
96